Australia doubles social media ban penalties to $99M as under-16s still access platforms
By
Tabby Wilson
Summary
Australia is doubling the maximum penalty for social media platforms that breach its under-16 social media ban to $99 million. The updated legislation also empowers the eSafety Commissioner to compel platforms to provide evidence of compliance. Despite the ban being in effect since December 2025, many children under 16 are still reportedly able to access banned apps, and investigations have been opened into alleged breaches.
Source
bskyAustralia doubles social media ban penalties to $99M as under-16s still access platformsbbc.co.ukKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Australian government has announced it will double the maximum penalty for breaches of the nation's social media minimum age law to $99m (£51.7m).
As part of the updated legislation, the eSafety Commissioner will also be able to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what steps they have taken to comply with the ban.
Children under the age of 16 have been prevented from 10 key social media platforms in Australia since 10 December 2025, but it has been widely acknowledged that many are still able to access and use the banned apps.
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